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Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and at digilend, we know how much it means to get it right. Whether you are based in Surfers Paradise, Robina, Clayfield, Windsor, or anywhere across the Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane, digilend is here to help you understand your home loan options and make sense of everything involved in the first home loan application process.
Before you apply for a home loan, it helps to understand what you may be entitled to. First home buyer eligibility in Queensland opens the door to a range of government support measures that can make a real difference to your upfront costs. The Queensland First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) currently sits at $15,000 for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026 on new homes valued under $750,000. This grant is not available for buyers of established homes, so the type of property you choose matters.
On top of the FHOG, first home buyers in Queensland may also benefit from first home buyer stamp duty concessions. If you are buying an established home, a concession is applied against the standard duty rate, reducing what you owe. For contracts signed on or after 9 June 2024, the maximum first home concession deduction is $17,350 for properties valued up to $709,999, phasing out for properties valued at $800,000 or more. If you are buying a new home or vacant land, the first home new home concession can reduce transfer duty to nil with no property price cap for contracts signed on or after 1 May 2025. These first home buyer stamp duty concessions can add up to a meaningful saving, so it is worth understanding which one applies to your situation.
The Australian Government also offers support for first home buyers through several federal schemes. The 5% Deposit Scheme, which has been operative since 1 October 2025, allows eligible first home buyers to purchase a property with just a 5% deposit. Under this scheme, Housing Australia guarantees the difference between your deposit and 20% of the property value, which means you do not need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). In Queensland, the property price cap under this scheme is $1,000,000 for capital city and regional centres, and $700,000 for other areas. There are no income caps and no annual place limits, making this one of the more accessible low deposit options available to first home buyers today.
The First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSS) is another federal option worth knowing about. It allows first home buyers to make voluntary contributions into their superannuation fund and then apply to release eligible amounts toward their deposit. Up to $15,000 from any one financial year can be released, with a total cap of $50,000. Concessional contributions are taxed at 15% rather than at your marginal income tax rate, which can be a tax-effective way to build your first home buyer budget over time. You generally need to obtain a determination from the Australian Taxation Office before signing a purchase contract, so timing matters.
When it comes to choosing the right home loan, first home buyers have more options than many people realise. You can choose between a fixed interest rate, which locks in your repayments for a set period, or a variable interest rate, which moves in line with market changes and often comes with features like an offset account or redraw facility. Some lenders also offer split loan structures, combining both. Each option suits different circumstances, and the right choice depends on your income, your first home buyer budget, and your plans for the property.
At digilend, we work with a broad panel of lenders to help you find a home loan that suits your needs. We can help you understand interest rate discounts that may be available, explain how an offset account or redraw facility works in practice, and walk you through what lenders look for when assessing a first home loan application. We can also help you explore whether a gift deposit could be used as part of your deposit, as some lenders have specific policies around this.
For first home buyers who need support with a smaller deposit, there are also low deposit options beyond the federal 5% scheme. Some lenders may accept a 10% deposit with or without LMI, depending on your overall financial position. Understanding the difference between these options, and what Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) actually costs if it does apply, is an important part of planning your purchase.
One of the most useful steps you can take before making an offer on a property is obtaining pre-approval. Pre-approval gives you a clearer picture of how much a lender may be willing to lend you, which helps you search with more confidence. It is not a guarantee of a formal approval, but it does signal to sellers that you are a serious buyer. At digilend, we can help you prepare for the pre-approval process and put together a solid first home buyer checklist so you know exactly what documents and information you will need.
We work with clients across Ashmore, Southport, Nerang, Bundall, Mermaid Waters, Merrimac, Palm Beach, and Miami, as well as Clayfield and Windsor in Greater Brisbane. No matter where you are buying, digilend is committed to helping first home buyers take this important step with clarity and confidence. Reach out to our team today to talk through your situation and explore your home loan options.
Everything starts with a conversation. Reach out to us online, by phone, or by email. There is no pressure and no obligation. We just want to understand what you are trying to achieve, whether that is buying your first home, refinancing, or securing finance for your next investment.
We take the time to learn about your financial situation, your goals, and your timeline. This helps us build a clear picture of what you need so we can find the right solution for you, not just any solution.
Using our panel of lenders, we search the market to find loan options that suit your needs. We compare rates, fees, features, and lender policies to put together a strategy that works in your best interest.
We present you with our recommended options in plain language. No jargon, no confusion. We walk you through the numbers so you can make a confident and informed decision.
Once you are happy with the direction, we handle the paperwork. We prepare your application, gather the required documents, and make sure everything is in order before it goes to the lender. This helps avoid delays and improves your chances of a smooth approval.
We submit your application and manage the process from our end. We stay in regular contact with the lender and keep you updated every step of the way. If the lender needs anything extra, we handle it quickly so things keep moving.
Once your loan is approved and settled, our job is not done. We check in with you regularly to make sure your loan is still working for you. As your life changes, we are here to review your finance and make sure it keeps up.
At digilend, we believe great finance advice should be straightforward, personal, and built around you.
Mario is genuinely your true saviour. Mario has always been an exceptionally great, honest, respectful, trustworthy, genuine person while doing business with. He offers the available products in the market and explains the pros&cons of various products based on individual circumstances. He always thinks from clients perspective and gets the best deal for them as per their circumstances just like mine . I have dealt with Mario for more than 15 years and he has never let me down no matter what borrowing capacity/product was suitable to my needs at that moment. If you want the truth, no BS just talk to Mario.
Carol
I met Mario through my work practices and noted he was a finance broker. I never had an ongoing personal broker before as I never found a good one to trust. I decided to give him a crack and it was one of the better decisions I’ve made in life. He is down to earth, honest, organised, effective and goes over and above to get the best outcome for us. He even attends auctions, open homes and house calls with us and has become part of our inner sanctum. He even laughs at my jokes. I would highly recommend him to anyone who requires finance and property matters. Chris and Tanya
Christopher Fowke
Highly recommend. Mario and his team were a pleasure to deal with. Mario was very knowledgeable on the most suitable finance for me and he made the process so easy. I've since referred Mario to friends, and will definitely use Digilend again.
Jacqui
Mario helped my wife and I secure a commercial spot for our business, Mario was great to deal with and very professional highly recommended!
Sean Holdinghausen
When you go directly to a bank, you are only seeing what that one lender has to offer. A broker like digilend has access to a panel of lenders, which means we can look across multiple options and present you with a range of possibilities that suit your situation. We also understand the lending criteria of different lenders, which means we can help match you with lenders who are more likely to consider your application based on your circumstances. On top of that, we handle a lot of the communication and paperwork on your behalf, which saves you a significant amount of time and effort. Having someone in your corner who understands the process can make a real difference, especially if your situation is not straightforward.
The documents you need can vary depending on the type of loan and your personal circumstances, but there are some common ones that most lenders will ask for. These typically include proof of identity such as a passport or driver's licence, proof of income like recent payslips or tax returns, bank statements showing your savings and spending, details of any existing debts or liabilities, and information about the property if you have already found one. If you are self-employed, you may need to provide additional documents such as business financials. digilend will give you a clear checklist based on your specific situation so you know exactly what to pull together before we get started. Being prepared upfront can help things move along more smoothly.
Refinancing means replacing your existing home loan with a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. People refinance for all sorts of reasons. Some want to access the equity they have built up in their property, others want to consolidate debts, and some simply want to review whether their current loan still suits their needs. It is worth noting that refinancing is not always the right move for everyone, and there can be costs involved such as exit fees or application fees for a new loan. digilend can help you look at your current situation and weigh up whether refinancing could make sense for you. We will give you a clear picture so you can make an informed decision.
Yes, digilend works with self-employed clients regularly. We understand that being your own boss can make the loan application process feel a bit more complicated, because your income might look different on paper compared to someone who receives a regular payslip. Different lenders have different ways of assessing self-employed income, and some are more accommodating than others. We know which lenders are more likely to look favourably at self-employed applicants and what documentation you will typically need to support your application. Things like tax returns, business financials, and bank statements are often part of the picture. We will help you get your paperwork in order and put your best foot forward.
The deposit required can depend on a number of factors including the lender, the type of loan, and your overall financial situation. A deposit of 20% of the property purchase price is often seen as a common benchmark, but there are options available for people with smaller deposits. Some lenders may accept a lower deposit, though this can sometimes mean additional costs such as lenders mortgage insurance. There are also government schemes that may be worth looking into depending on your eligibility. digilend can help you understand what your deposit situation means for your options and what lenders may be willing to consider. We will always give you a clear picture of what is involved.
The timeline can vary quite a bit depending on your situation, the lender involved, and how quickly documents can be gathered and verified. Generally speaking, getting pre-approval can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, while full approval after you have found a property can take a similar amount of time. Some lenders move quicker than others, and having all your documents ready can help things move along. digilend will keep you updated throughout the process so you always know where things are at. We will also let you know upfront what to expect based on your specific circumstances so you are not left wondering what is happening.
In most cases, digilend is paid a commission by the lender when a loan is settled. This means that in many situations you do not pay us directly for our broking service. However, we believe it is important that you understand exactly how we are paid and any fees that may apply to your situation before we get started. We are required by law to be transparent about our remuneration, and we take that seriously. We will always explain how we are paid as part of our process so there are no surprises. If you have any questions about this at any point, just ask us and we will walk you through it clearly.
digilend can assist with a wide range of lending needs. This includes home loans for people buying a property, refinancing for those who want to review their current loan, investment property loans, car and asset finance, personal loans, and business lending. We work with a broad panel of lenders, which means we can look at options across different loan types rather than being limited to just one product or one bank. Every person's situation is different, so we take the time to understand what you are trying to achieve before we start looking at what might be available to you. If you are not sure whether we can help, just reach out and ask.
Absolutely. digilend works with clients right across the Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane region. Whether you are based in Surfers Paradise, Robina, Palm Beach, Southport, Nerang, Mermaid Waters, Bundall, Merrimac, Ashmore, Clayfield, Windsor, Miami, or anywhere nearby, we are here to help. We understand that people in these areas have different needs and circumstances, and we take the time to understand yours before we do anything else. You do not have to travel far or deal with someone who does not know your local area. digilend is right here in your community and ready to have a chat.
A finance and mortgage broker like digilend works as the go-between for you and a range of lenders. Instead of you having to contact multiple banks or lenders yourself, we do that legwork for you. We look at your situation, figure out what you need, and then search through a panel of lenders to find options that could suit you. We handle a lot of the paperwork, communication, and follow-up so you are not left doing it all on your own. Whether you are buying your first home, refinancing, or looking at a business loan, having a broker in your corner can make the whole process a lot more manageable.
If you are thinking about buying your first home on the Gold Coast or in Greater Brisbane, the team at digilend would love to help. Book an appointment with us today and let's talk through your options.
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